Indian chieftain. [volume] (Vinita, Indian Territory [Okla.]) 1882-1902, 1887-01-13

agreement | would quit It, II hurts
mel 1t hurts mel'
"You can quit now II you want to,
said Joel, getting up and turning q
ledger over ncryously.
Every we'll" said ohm Earling. 81
will get something else to do and pay
you the balance"
"You needn't mind IT," said Joel,
without looking up.
~ will pay the balance, sifr' and
John Earling went out After he had
gone Joel pushed the papers about his
desk in disturbed way. and glancing
at the book-keeper saw that he bad re-
sumcd work with q conscious look.
Jocrs face was flushed, and once or
twice he acted as II he were going TO
speak; then he put on his hat and went
out
Without looking back John Earring
strode up the street with set teeth
and walked into the law-oilice of Bower
& Woodman. Judge Bower. tall,
bcnignant looking man with moist
fair skin and sandy hair, was nodding
over newspaper, while his partner, a
little unkcpt and greasy of apparel, but
with keen ambcr-colorcd eyes. a sharp
hooked nose, long, slightly rctreating
forehead, long, claw-liko fingers, sunk
on checks, chewing nervously and spit
ting momcntarily. sat writing vigor-
ously at n table. He looked much like
some old and rusty eagle as he sat
there, the most powerful advocate of
the region. lie did not look up TO see
who had entered, but spit quickly and
without much regard 10 the direction.
"Sit down." he said, with a kind of
guttcral jerk. and continued driving
his pen across the paper IN n maze Of
dizzy hicroglyphics. Judge Bower
looked up with sleepy, pleasant salu-
tation, and requested the new conner TO
be seated.
But John Earling remained standing
with his hat in hand. and directing his
query toward Judge Bower asked il
they could furnish him with something
to do.
"Why, ] don't know" said Judge
Bower, laying down his newspaper.
1--WE have a good deal OF writing. per-
haps we might do something YOU"
Old Woodman, as he was fainiliarly
called, turned his head over little
and glanced at the fine looking. clean
cut youth without staying his pen.
Whats the matter with the store?'
said he as he wrote.
II have been dismissed" said John
Earring.
Judge Bower moved about in his
big chair, and Woodman laid down
his pen and stretching out his legs be-
fore him ran his hands down deep into
his pockets and set his grizzly chin
against his chest. lie looked keenly
at the youth. "What was the trouble?"
he asked.
al would prefer not to explain It
wholly. sir: 1t was not because | was
dishonest"
lit was the other fellow that was
dishonest, wasn't it?"
(Which? DO you mean the young
man who was discharged this morn
ingp"
"No; the big one-Joelr'
John Earling hesitatcd moment, then
said, gravcly;" Mr.. Whitney has been
kind to me. | would rather not think
or speak Of him in any other than
grateful way. | owe him three years
Of service yet. sir, and rs soon rs / can
| wish to pay il"
ut Olu ldNlfI htIdAtutu MS ENlLLlN
jaw, spit quickly, glanced at his part
ncr, and said: "Woll, | guess we can
set you to work. Don't think you will
get rich, but it will keep you from
starving"
lie got up, whirlcd a-tabic against
the wall, threw lot of lcgal-cap upon
H. hfid some documents by the paper
and wheeled up chair.
"Now. young man." he said, ''whale
it to itr'
John Earring smiled and thanked
him and sat down and began copying
the documents rapidly. WOodman sat
down, threw his legs upon q table,
thrust cigar into his mouth ahd said.
"Now, Bower, guess I'll smoke"
John Earling continued writing
through the remainder of the day. The
others came and went. Ia the evea-
ing the mild-mannered Bower said.
MIR. Earling. you can 20 10 supper
whenever you choose.
"Ioung man." broke in WoOdman,
have you been TO dinner to-day?'
"No, sir," said John Earring. ="
forgot IT,"
Old Woodman glanced at the Judge
and cXpectorated in "A most emphatic
manner.
Il would DC glad to have you come
with me to tea" said Judge Bower,
e am just going now"
THANK you. sir. said Earling. Z" /
=" then he broke of. lie seemed
not 10 have thought Of his altered re-
latiors with Joel Whitney until then.
FL bad not thought Of where | should
live" lac said. with n smile. Then.
after few moments: Would YOU
pardon me, sir, if | asked if your
kindness might be considered as a
charity?"
Certainly not. certainly not" said
Judge Bower. II should be glad OF
your company"
They arose and went out Old Wood
man closed one Of his eyes very tight
and brought his fist down upon tho
table with crash. ''Fire! snapl grit.
there's tighter for your he said
What handfuls of hair he would
bring awaym then he leaned back in
his chair and scratched his jaw. "Cool
smooth. proud. and sharp as razor
Ought 10 be lawyer! L-c-e-tlc too hon
est, though, I'm 'fraid. But what hail
he would bring awayl Snum! snum
what h-a-i-r3' and the old lawyer thrust
his hand out before him like claw and
ierkcd it back as II he had diyested an
adversary Of his scalp.
CHAPTER X.
The home Of Judge Bower lay bacL !
along the ridge; a large. plain. home
like brick house, ilanked on the one
hand by an Immense hower-garden.
and on the other by a lawn aud long
grape-arbor In front was u velvet
sweep Of smooth, close-shayen sward
sprinkled with native oaks, and be-
tween two of these large swing
John Earring felt 1t very cool and
uloagauf oc hn xvalEad tu arunuor tI,.